The Verband Metallverpackungen e.V. (VMV) elected a new board that will focus even more on sustainability and circular economy issues in the future.
Specifically, at the annual meeting in Frankfurt am Main, the delegates elected Hugo Sebastian Trappmann (Blechwarenfabrik Limburg) as the new Chairman of the Board. Michael Fürst (Kleemann Metallverpackungen) was appointed vice chairman of the Executive Board. In addition, Thomas Stock (Pano) was recently elected to the board. Andreas Faßbender (Greif) was also confirmed as second vice chairman and Eckhard Bihlmaier (Bihlmaier Metallverpackungen) and Ulf Riedel (Rauh) as other board members.
Hugo Trappmann, director of the MetalPak company, assured in his appearance before the regulatory bodies that no matter how many challenges they have with respect to energy or supply chains, sustainability is the only issue of the present and the future for the packaging industry. Trappmann is convinced that metal packaging has always been a consistent argument when it comes to dealing with natural resources.
“Metal packaging is made of steel or aluminum. Both materials can be recycled over and over again without loss of quality. For example, today’s paint can becomes tomorrow’s bicycle, the car part of the day after tomorrow or even the packaging again. Once used, raw materials are not lost, but continue to be used. This conserves resources, saves energy and reduces emissions. “These advantages must be made even better known, for the benefit of our industry and the environment.”Trappmann added.
The collection, sorting and re-melting of used metal packaging runs smoothly, which is why they have achieved the highest recycling rates of all packaging materials for decades. Metal packaging consistently achieves shares of more than 90% in Germany and in Europe, tinplate packaging leads the way with recycling rates of more than 85%.
“With the European Green Pact, the EU is sending a clear signal for a comprehensive circular economy. The packaging industry is especially obliged to do so. This is demonstrated by corresponding legislative initiatives that require all packaging materials to be recyclable and have high recycling rates.”said Michael Fürst, highlighting the challenges the policy poses to the packaging industry. Where other packaging now faces considerable difficulties, metal packaging has long met the targets set. “How well metal packaging and closures support the transition to a true circular economy, we want to communicate more to policy and management.” Fürst added.
Representing the interests of the sector vis-à-vis industry, trade and politics is one of the main tasks of the VMV, which the Executive Committee wishes to further expand. On topics such as environmental protection and the circular economy, but also food legislation or the transport of dangerous goods, the association sees itself as a strong discussion partner and initiator.
In order to ensure the security of its members’ shares, VMV monitors the legal situation in Germany and Europe and explains the scope of the new regulations to member companies. Another focus of the association’s work is the discourse on the latest technical developments, e.g. in the field of food contact, steel and aluminum raw materials or quality assurance. The industry is also widely represented by its association in standardization initiatives in Germany, the EU and internationally.
